SEC Issues Risk Alert in Response to WannaCry Ransomware Attack

Friday, May 19, 2017

On May 17, the Securities and Exchange Commission Office of Compliance Inspections and Examinations (OCIE), issued a Risk Alert in response to the widespread ransomware attack known as WannaCry, WCry, or Wanna Decryptor that started on May 12. The attack infected computers and servers of various organizations in more than 100 countries. The Risk Alert encourages broker-dealers and investment management firms (collectively, “Firms”) to review the May 12 alert published by the US Department of Homeland Security’s Computer Emergency Readiness Team and evaluate whether applicable patches for their operating systems are properly and timely installed.

The Risk Alert also references OCIE’s recently conducted examination of 75 SEC registered Firms to assess industry practices and legal, regulatory and compliance issues related to cybersecurity practices. The OCIE examination found that 26 percent of investment advisers did not conduct periodic risk assessment of critical systems, and 57 percent of investment management firms did not conduct penetration tests and vulnerability scans on critical systems. In addition, a much smaller number of Firms had a significant number of critical and high-risk security patches that were missing important updates. The Risk Alert indicates that in addressing cybersecurity risks and preparedness, Firms should consider (1) implementing periodic cybersecurity risk assessments and a process for ensuring the regular installation of software patches; and (2) conducting penetration tests and vulnerability scans.

David Dickstein represents broker-dealers, investment advisers, investment companies and hedge funds in connection with a variety of regulatory, compliance and operational matters. David regularly counsels investment advisers on registration and regulatory matters, such as the need for registration, conflict of interest disclosures, soft dollars and best execution, firm advertising and marketing, federal and state pay-to-play matters, trade allocations and personal trading. He also advises broker-dealers on registration and ongoing compliance matters, mutual fund supermarkets...

Legal Disclaimer

You are responsible for reading, understanding and agreeing to the National Law Review's (NLR’s) and the National Law Forum LLC's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy before using the National Law Review website. The National Law Review is a free to use, no-log in database of legal and business articles. The content and links on www.NatLawReview.com are intended for general information purposes only. Any legal analysis, legislative updates or other content and links should not be construed as legal or professional advice or a substitute for such advice. No attorney-client or confidential relationship is formed by the transmission of information between you and the National Law Review website or any of the law firms, attorneys or other professionals or organizations who include content on the National Law Review website. If you require legal or professional advice, kindly contact an attorney or other suitable professional advisor.

Some states have laws and ethical rules regarding solicitation and advertisement practices by attorneys and/or other professionals. The National Law Review is not a law firm nor is www.NatLawReview.com intended to be a referral service for attorneys and/or other professionals. The NLR does not wish, nor does it intend, to solicit the business of anyone or to refer anyone to an attorney or other professional. NLR does not answer legal questions nor will we refer you to an attorney or other professional if you request such information from us.

Under certain state laws the following statements may be required on this website and we have included them in order to be in full compliance with these rules. The choice of a lawyer or other professional is an important decision and should not be based solely upon advertisements. Attorney Advertising Notice: Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Statement in compliance with Texas Rules of Professional Conduct. Unless otherwise noted, attorneys are not certified by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, nor can NLR attest to the accuracy of any notation of Legal Specialization or other Professional Credentials.

The National Law Review - National Law Forum LLC 4700 Gilbert Ave. Suite 47 #230 Western Springs, IL 60558 Telephone (708) 357-3317 If you would ike to contact us via email please click here.